Production of infectious virus and degradation of APOBEC3G are separable functional properties of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vif

HIV-1 Vif regulates viral infectivity by inhibiting the encapsidation of APOBEC3G (APO3G) through proteasomal degradation of the protein. Here we compared various Vif proteins for their ability to induce APO3G degradation and rescue viral infectivity. We found that Vif expressed from proviral vectors caused relatively inefficient degradation of APO3G in HeLa cells yet was very effective in inhibiting APO3G's antiviral activity. On the other hand, Vif expressed autonomously from a codon-optimized vector caused very efficient APO3G degradation and also effectively inhibited APO3G's antiviral effects. In contrast, a Vif chimera containing an N-terminal fluorescent tag efficiently induced APO3G degradation but was unable to restore viral infectivity. The lack of a direct correlation between APO3G degradation and rescue of viral infectivity suggests that these two properties of Vif are functionally separable. Our data imply that intracellular degradation of APO3G may not be the sole activity of Vif required for the production of infectious virions from APO3G-expressing cells.     

HIV-1 Vif promotes the formation of high molecular mass APOBEC3G complexes

HIV-1 Vif inhibits the antiviral activity of APOBEC3G (APO3G) by inducing proteasomal degradation. Here, we studied the effects of Vif on APO3G in vitro. In this system, Vif did not cause APO3G degradation. Instead, Vif induced changes in APO3G that affected immunoprecipitation of the native protein. This effect required wt Vif and was reversed by heat denaturation of APO3G. Sucrose gradient analysis demonstrated that wt Vif induced the gradual transition of APO3G translated in vitro or expressed in HeLa cells from a low molecular mass conformation to puromycin-sensitive high molecular mass (HMM) complexes. In the absence of Vif or the presence of biologically inactive Vif APO3G failed to form HMM complexes. Our results expose a novel function of Vif that promotes the assembly of APO3G into presumably packaging-incompetent HMM complexes and may explain how Vif can overcome the APO3G-imposed block to HIV replication under conditions of no or inefficient APO3G degradation.     

Antiviral roles of APOBEC proteins against HIV-1 and suppression by Vif

Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme-catalytic polypeptide-like (APOBEC) proteins are members of a protein family sharing the common characteristic of cytidine deaminase activity. The antiviral activity of APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F has been studied more extensively than that of the other members of this family. The antiviral activity of APOBEC3B and APOBEC3DE has also been described. Studies of other APOBEC proteins have not revealed any antiviral activities against HIV-1; however, further investigation is required. In the absence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virion infectivity factor (Vif), APOBEC3G and APOBEC3F are incorporated into HIV-1 virions and hypermutate the viral genomic DNA by their cytidine deaminase activity. HIV-1 Vif protein suppresses the antiviral role of APOBEC proteins by several mechanisms that lead to inhibition of incorporation of APOBEC3G/3F into HIV-1 virions. The detailed mechanisms involved in the suppression of APOBEC proteins by Vif are still being elucidated. Novel studies in which as yet undefined aspects of the suppression of APOBEC proteins are investigated could reveal important and potentially exploitable information for addressing HIV-1 infection in humans.     

Mutational Analysis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Vif Gene

Mutations were introduced into scattered regions of the HIV-1 vif gene. The twelve in-frame mutants generated were evaluated for the replication potentials in cells by transfection and infection experiments. All the mutants produced a normal level of progeny virions upon transfection, indicating the absence of the late function of HIV-1 Vif protein. The infectivity of virions obtained was monitored in H9 cells, which are non-permissive for HIV-1 without the Vif function. Most of the mutations in various parts of the vif gene, including those in the three conserved regions among HIV/SIV, abrogated the infectivity of the virus. In contrast, the cysteine residue at position 133, which was reported to be critical for viral infectivity, was found not to be essential. In addition, the C-terminal eight amino acid residues (185–192) in the Vif protein could be deleted with no effects on viral growth potential.     

HIV accessory proteins and surviving the host cell

Human immunodeficiency virus generates the accessory proteins Nef, viral infectivity factor (Vif), viral protein R, and viral protein U or viral protein X during viral replication in host cells. Although the significance of these accessory proteins is often lost in vitro, they are essential for viral pathogenesis in vivo. Therefore, these proteins have much potential as antiviral targets. Recent data reveal Vif perturbs an ill-defined antiviral pathway in host cells allowing HIV replication. These data highlight a common feature among HIV accessory proteins in manipulating the host to aid viral pathogenesis. Therefore, these new insights into Vif and other HIV accessory proteins are reviewed, emphasizing host cell interactions and new targets for therapeutic intervention.     

The antiviral factor APOBEC3G enhances the recognition of HIV-infected primary T cells by natural killer cells

APOBEC3G (A3G) is an intrinsic antiviral factor that inhibits the replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by deaminating cytidine residues to uridine. This causes guanosine-to-adenosine hypermutation in the opposite strand and results in inactivation of the virus. HIV counteracts A3G through the activity of viral infectivity factor (Vif), which promotes degradation of A3G. We report that viral protein R (Vpr), which interacts with a uracil glycosylase, also counteracted A3G by diminishing the incorporation of uridine. However, this process resulted in activation of the DNA-damage-response pathway and the expression of natural killer (NK) cell-activating ligands. Our results show that pathogen-induced deamination of cytidine and the DNA-damage response to virus-mediated repair of the incorporation of uridine enhance the recognition of HIV-infected cells by NK cells.     

The Vif accessory protein alters the cell cycle of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infected cells

The viral infectivity factor gene (vif) of HIV-1 increases the infectivity of viral particles by inactivation of cellular anti-viral factors, and supports productive viral replication in primary human CD4 T cells and in certain non-permissive T cell lines. Here, we demonstrate that Vif also contributes to the arrest of HIV-1 infected cells in the G(2) phase of the cell cycle. Viruses deleted in Vif or Vpr induce less cell cycle arrest than wild-type virus, while cells infected with HIV-1 deleted in both Vif and Vpr have a cell cycle profile equivalent to that of uninfected cells. Furthermore, expression of Vif alone induces accumulation of cells in the G(2) phase of the cell cycle. These data demonstrate a novel role for Vif in cell cycle regulation and suggest that Vif and Vpr independently drive G(2) arrest in HIV-1 infected cells. Our results may have implications for the actions and interactions of key HIV-1 accessory proteins in AIDS pathogenesis.     

The HIV-1 Vif PPLP motif is necessary for human APOBEC3G binding and degradation

The HIV-1 virion infectivity factor (Vif) is required during viral replication to inactivate the host cell anti-viral factor, APOBEC3G (A3G). Vif binds A3G and a Cullin5-ElonginBC E3 ubiquitin ligase complex which results in the proteasomal degradation of A3G. The Vif PPLP motif (amino acids 161-164) is essential for normal Vif function because mutations in this motif reduce the infectivity of virions produced in T-cells. In this report, we demonstrate that mutation of the Vif PPLP motif reduces Vif binding to A3G without affecting its interaction with ElonginC and Cullin5. We demonstrate that the failure of the Vif mutant to bind A3G resulted in A3G incorporation into assembling virions with loss of viral infectivity.     

Ubiquitination of APOBEC3 proteins by the Vif-Cullin5-ElonginB-ElonginC complex

APOBEC3 proteins are antiviral host factors for a wide variety of retroviruses. HIV-1 Vif overcomes the antiviral activity of APOBEC3G by ubiquitinating the protein. In this study, we examined the ability of Vif to antagonize other family members of APOBEC3 proteins, together with its mechanism. Using HIV infectivity, virion incorporation, immunoprecipitation, and in vitro ubiquitin conjugation assays, we show that the ability of Vif to inhibit antiviral activity of APOBEC3 proteins positively correlates with its ability to bind and ubiquitinate these proteins by a Vif-Cullin5-ElonginB-ElonginC (Vif-BC-Cul5) complex. These results suggest that Vif exhibits its anti-APOBEC3 activity by the ubiquitin ligase activity of the Vif-BC-Cul5 complex.     

Complementary function of the two catalytic domains of APOBEC3G

The HIV-1 viral accessory protein Vif prevents the encapsidation of the antiviral cellular cytidine deaminases APOBEC3F and APOBEC3G by inducing their proteasomal degradation. In the absence of Vif, APOBEC3G is encapsidated and blocks virus replication by deaminating cytosines of the viral cDNA. APOBEC3G encapsidation has been recently shown to depend on the viral nucleocapsid protein; however, the role of RNA remains unclear. Using APOBEC3G deletion and point mutants, we mapped the encapsidation determinant to the Zn(2+) coordination residues of the N-terminal catalytic domain (CD1). Notably, these residues were also required for RNA binding. Mutations in the two aromatic residues of CD1 but not CD2, which are conserved in cytidine deaminase core domains and are required for RNA binding, prevented encapsidation into HIV-1, HTLV-I and MLV. The Zn(2+) coordination residues of the C-terminal catalytic domain (CD2) were not required for encapsidation but were essential for cytidine deaminase activity and the antiviral effect. These findings suggest a model in which CD1 mediates encapsidation and RNA binding while CD2 mediates cytidine deaminase activity. Interestingly, HTLV-I was relatively resistant to the antiviral effects of encapsidated APOBEC3G.     

An anti-HIV-1 compound that increases steady-state expression of apoplipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme-catalytic polypeptide-like 3G

Human apoplipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme-catalytic polypeptide-like (APOBEC) 3G (A3G) is an antiviral protein that blocks HIV-1 replication. However, the antiviral activity of A3G is overcome by the HIV-1 protein Vif. This inhibitory function of Vif is related to its ability to degrade A3G in the proteasome. This finding prompted us to examine the activities of 4-(dimethylamino)-2,6-bis[(N-(2-[(2-nitrophenyl)dithio]ethyl)amino)methyl]pyridine (SN-2) and SN-3. We found that 5 μM SN-2 increases the expression of A3G to a level much higher than that observed in the absence of Vif, without affecting the level of Vif expression. The proteasome inhibitor MG-132 increased the level of both A3G and Vif expression. These results demonstrate that A3G is ubiquitinated and degraded in the proteasome by a factor other than Vif, and that SN-2 selectively inhibits these processes. Furthermore, 5 μM SN-2 significantly inhibited the MAGI cell infectivity of wild-type HIV-1. These findings may contribute to the development of a novel anti-HIV-1 drug.     

Ubiquitin-fusion as a strategy to modulate protein half-life: A3G antiviral activity revisited

The human APOBEC3G (A3G) is a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 replication and its activity is suppressed by HIV-1 virion infectivity factor (Vif). Vif neutralizes A3G mainly by inducing its degradation in the proteasome and blocking its incorporation into HIV-1 virions. Assessing the time needed for A3G incorporation into virions is, therefore, important to determine how quickly Vif must act to induce its degradation. We show that modelling the intracellular half-life of A3G can induce its Vif-independent targeting to the ubiquitin-proteasome system. By using various amino acids (X) in a cleavable ubiquitin-X-A3G fusion, we demonstrate that the half-life (t1/2) of X-A3G can be manipulated. We show that A3G molecules with a half-life of 13 min are incorporated into virions, whereas those with a half-life shorter than 5 min were not. The amount of X-A3G incorporated into virions increases from 13 min (Phe-A3G) to 85 min (Asn-A3G) and remains constant after this time period. Interestingly, despite the presence of similar levels of Arg-A3G (t1/2 = 28 min) and Asp-A3G (t1/2 = 65 min) into HIV-1 Δvif virions, inhibition of viral infectivity was only evident in the presence of A3G proteins with a longer half-life (t1/2 ≥ 65 min).     

Functional Analysis of vif Genes Derived from Various Primate Immunodeficiency Viruses

Replication property in cells of human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIVs and SIVs) lacking intact vif gene was evaluated. Of 10 vif mutants constructed in vitro of the major four HIV/SIV groups, only those derived from HIV-1 and HIV-2/SIVmac displayed replication defect. The cell lines non-permissive for the vif mutants of HIV-1 and SIVmac were found to be different. To determine whether Vif is exchangeable between HIV-1 and SIVmac, chimeric virus clones with respect to the vif gene were constructed and virus replication in the cells non-permissive for the vif mutant viruses was monitored. Productive infection in these cells of chimeric viruses clearly indicated that Vif is functionally exchangeable, and that Vifs of different virus origin act through a similar mechanism. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Accessories to the crime: Recent advances in HIV accessory protein biology

Recent advances in understanding the roles of the lentiviral accessory proteins have provided fascinating insight into the molecular biology of the virus and uncovered previously unappreciated innate immune mechanisms by which the host defends itself. HIV-1 and other lentiviruses have developed accessory proteins that counterattack the antiviral defenses in a sort of evolutionary battle. The virus is remarkably adept at co-opting cellular degradative pathways to destroy the protective proteins. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding three of the accessory proteins—virion infectivity factor (Vif), viral protein R (Vpr), and viral protein U (Vpu)—that target different restriction factors to ensure virus replication. These proteins may provide promising targets for the development of novel classes of antiretroviral drugs.     

Development and characterization of a new single cycle vaccine vector in the simian immunodeficiency virus model system

We have developed a new single cycle lentiviral vector, SIVsmH4i-SC27.1, as a potential SIV/HIV-1 vaccine candidate. This viral vector is capable of expressing all of the SIV gene products but is limited to one round of infection. The vector was created by mutating 27 codons dispersed among the viral vif, env, and nef genes to block protein function, attenuate viral replication/infectivity, and reduce the ability of the virus to manipulate the host immune system. To complement the env and nef replication defects, SC27.1 was pseudotyped with the VSV G glycoprotein to allow particle entry. The vif mutation was complemented by producing particles from an APOBEC3G-negative cell line, and the Vif protein defect was validated by showing that the single cycle virus lost most of its infectivity when particles were produced in presence of APOBEC3G. To deal with the problem of an antibody response to the VSV G protein in a vaccination strategy, two additional serotypes of the VSV G protein were used to create pseudotyped virus particles, and we observed no cross-neutralization activity for two of the pseudotyped particles with a potent neutralizing antiserum to one of the VSV G proteins. We detected moderate inhibition of infectivity in normal human and macaque sera, especially to the New Jersey serotype of VSV G, but as a heat sensitive activity, presumably complement mediated. These particles can be used in a prime-boost strategy to determine if a single cycle lentiviral vaccine vector capable of expressing all of the viral gene products holds promise in inducing immunity and protection to an SIVsm challenge.     

Phosphorylation of a novel SOCS-box regulates assembly of the HIV-1 Vif-Cul5 complex that promotes APOBEC3G degradation

HIV-1 Vif (viral infectivity factor) protein overcomes the antiviral activity of the DNA deaminase APOBEC3G by targeting it for proteasomal degradation. We report here that Vif targets APOBEC3G for degradation by forming an SCF-like E3 ubiquitin ligase containing Cullin 5 and Elongins B and C (Cul5-EloB-EloC) through a novel SOCS (suppressor of cytokine signaling)-box that binds EloC. Vif binding to EloC is negatively regulated by serine phosphorylation in the BC-box motif of the SOCS-box. Vif ubiquitination is promoted by Cul5 in vitro and in vivo, and requires an intact SOCS-box. Thus, autoubiquitination of Vif occurs within the assembled Vif-Cul5 complex, analogous to F-box proteins that are autoubiquitinated within their SCF (Skp1-Cullin-F-box) complex. These findings suggest mechanisms that regulate the assembly and activity of Cul5 E3 complexes through phosphorylation or autoubiquitination of the SOCS-box protein, and identify interactions between Vif and host cell proteins that may be therapeutic targets.     

A new approach to an AIDS vaccine: creating antibodies to HIV vif will enable apobec3G to turn HIV-infection into a benign problem

For a decade, attempts to produce a vaccine that prevents HIV infection have been fruitless, and fresh approaches are required. Apobec3G is a natural defensin and a cytidine deaminase. Apobec3G induces a high rate of dC to dU mutation in the first minus strand of cDNA, causing degradation throughout the HIV genome that renders the virus effete. The viral infectivity factor (vif) of HIV is essential for efficient replication of that virus. Vif binds to apobec3G and induces its polyubiquitination, which enables HIV to evade apobec3G. This suggests that a vif-based vaccine which induced anti-vif antibodies, would prevent the neutralizing action of vif upon apobec3G. Then, with HIV-vif ineffective, apobec3G could act without hindrance to create a less aggressive, non-lethal HIV infection. Mutated vif impedes HIV infection. Slow progressors with vif 132S had 4-fold lower viral loads than those with vif 132R; and introducing vif 132S into HIV-1 caused a 5-fold decrease in viral replication. And in the absence of vif, HIV virions accumulate multiple defects in structural, enzymatic, and regulatory viral proteins. The success of a vif-based vaccine depends upon (1) a vif-antibody response, and (2) vif antibodies entering the cells that harbor HIV. First, antibodies to vif have been seen in frequencies ranging between 25% and 100% in patients infected with HIV-1. Second, transport of anti-vif antibodies into cells might occur via several mechanisms. Likeliest is that in viremic persons, antibodies would attach to cell-free virions which would piggyback the antibodies into CD4+ cells. Alternatively, a fusion protein between vif and a cell-surface receptor, e.g., CD4 or CCR5, might be used as vaccine antigen. Also, anti-vif antibodies might internalize after ligation of HIV virions budding on the cell surface, in the same way as monoclonal antibodies against porcine pseudorabies virus induced viral glycoproteins on the cell surface to internalize. Finally, monoclonal antibodies, using unknown mechanisms to enter cells, have been effective against several other intracellular pathogens. In summary, HIV-vif might be effective in a vaccine intended to ameliorate either preexisting or subsequent HIV infection.